But the food scene here isn’t just about what’s happening in fine dining. Some of the best bites in town can be found at places that are much more casual — and, as always, we aimed to offer a wide range of options across cuisines, neighborhoods and price points.
Before you can compile a list of the top dining options in town, you need to determine what constitutes a truly exemplary restaurant. The answer can change day to day and even hour to hour, depending on the diner. This list reflects the spots we're most excited about right now — the places we're most likely to choose for a meal out or to recommend to a friend.
As we set out to make this year's picks, we decided to split the list into five categories, just as we did with our Top 100 Bars list.
While we’re celebrating our new favorites on the scene, we’re also giving well-earned props to the classics that have served the city for two decades or more. For times that call for a truly memorable meal, you'll find a smattering of splurge-worthy spots, along with a selection of eateries where you can dine well on a budget. And the city’s culinary landscape wouldn’t be the same without the neighborhood eateries — the places we go for comfort, community and a well-cooked meal.
Dig in! Here's our new list of the Top 100 Restaurants in Denver:
New and Noteworthy Denver Restaurants
The top spots to open between Labor Day 2023 and Labor Day 2024.
The buzziest new addition to the scene is Alma Fonda Fina, which earned its first Michelin star less than a year after opening, but this list includes some under-the-radar options, too, like Wok Spicy, which is serving Sichuan specialties in the former Twin Dragon in Englewood or the dreamy La Forêt, where it feels like you're dining in an enchanted forest.
- Alma Fonda Fina, LoHi
- Chopstix Fusion, Southeast Denver
- Dan Da, Aurora
- Farm & Market, RiNo
- Gusto, West Denver
- Jacques, LoHi (Editor's note: Jacques closed in May 2025).
- Kawa Ni, LoHi
- La Forêt, Baker
- Little Arthur's, Capitol Hill
- Luchador Taco & More, Whittier
- MAKfam, Baker
- Nana's Dim Sum & Dumplings, multiple locations (LoHi, Aurora, Boulder)
- O Lien Kitchen, Westwood
- Samosa Shop at Honor Farm, LoDo
- Wok Spicy, Englewood
- Xiquita Restaurante y Bar, Uptown
The Best Classic Denver Restaurants
Restaurants that have stood the test of time.
All of these spots have been open for twenty years or longer — a huge achievement in an industry that is famously tough and has only gotten harder in recent years. Some celebrated milestone anniversaries in 2024, like Rioja, which is ready for its next era after two decades on Larimer Square, and Jax Fish House, which has been a leader in the local seafood scene for thirty years.
- Angelo's Taverna, Central Denver and Littleton
- Barolo Grill, Cherry Creek
- Bastien's Restaurant, City Park
- Columbine Steak House & Lounge, Valverde
- Crown Burgers, University Hills
- Domo, Lincoln Park
- El Taco De Mexico, Lincoln Park
- Frasca Food and Wine, Boulder
- Jax Fish House, LoDo, Glendale and Boulder
- La Loma, Downtown Denver
- Lao Wang Noodle House, Westwood (Editor's note: Lao Wang closed on February 15, 2025.)
- Mexico City Restaurant & Lounge, Ballpark
- Pete's Kitchen, City Park
- Poppies Restaurant, University Hills
- Potager, Capitol Hill
- Rioja, LoDo
- Silla, Aurora
- Sushi Den, Platt Park
- Table 6, Central Denver
- Taste of Thailand, Rosedale
- Welton Street Cafe, Five Points
Splurge-Worthy Denver Restaurants
The eateries where you should go all-in.
Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just want to treat yourself, there are many options in the metro area where you can feast on a memorable meal, from the foie gras and fried chicken at Stone Cellar Bistro in Arvada to modern Vietnamese standout Sap Sua, which was recently named one of the best new restaurants in the country by Bon Appétit.
- A5 Steakhouse, LoDo
- Annette, Aurora
- Beckon, RiNo
- Brasserie Brixton, Cole
- Bruto, LoDo
- Hop Alley, RiNo
- Kumoya, LoHi
- Molotov Kitschen, City Park
- Noisette, LoHi (Editor's note: Noisette is set to close on June 14, 2025.)
- Olivia, Washington Park
- The Plimoth, City Park
- The Regular, LoDo (Editor's note: The Regular is now an events venue and hosts monthly guest chef dinners.)
- Safta, RiNo
- Sap Sua, City Park
- Stone Cellar Bistro, Arvada
- Tavernetta, Union Station
- Uchi, RiNo
- Wildflower, LoHi
- The Wolf's Tailor, Sunnyside
- Yuan Wonton, Park Hill
Denver Restaurants Serving Budget-Friendly Bites
The places dishing up a bang for your buck.
Dining out is getting more expensive, but there are still places that impress without breaking the bank, including Gaia Masala, one of our favorite late-night go-to's for tikka masala cheesesteaks and fries loaded with lamb masala, and La Diabla, a Michelin Bib Gourmand eatery that has some of the best weekly deals in town on tacos, pozole and more.
- Blackbelly Market, Berkeley and Boulder
- Blazing Chicken Shack II, Park Hill
- The Bronze Empire, Cory-Merrill
- Carmine Lonardo's, Lakewood
- Carrera's Tacos, Greenwood Village
- Cuba Bakery & Cafe, Aurora
- Gaia Masala & Burger, Speer, LoDo and Boulder
- Garibaldi Mexican Bistro, Englewood
- House of Bread, Southeast Denver
- Kiké's Red Tacos, Highland
- La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal, Ballpark
- Lucky Noodles, City Park (Editor's note: Lucky Noodles closed on January 24, 2025.)
- Mango House, Aurora
- NBX Asian Cuisine, Lone Tree
- Odie B's, Sunnyside
- Sonny's Mediterranean, LoHi
- Spice Room, multiple
- Split Lip, RiNo
- Tocabe: An American Indian Eatery, Berkeley
- Vinh Xuong Bakery, Valverde
Neighborhood Restaurant Favorites in Denver
The regular go-to's for a satisfying meal.
Whether you live near these restaurants or not, it's tempting to become a regular because they each deliver a consistently good meal and — maybe even more important — a good time. From the Greenwich, which revamped its menu with an Italian focus in 2024, to Vine Street, which made a long-awaited comeback after a four-year hiatus (and recently brought back its OG breaded wings, too), we hope these favorites stick around for years to come.
- Abejas, Golden
- Ace Eat Serve, Uptown
- African Grill and Bar, Lakewood
- Benzina, Park Hill (Editor's note: Benzina is set to close at the end of May.)
- The Bindery, LoHi
- Cart-Driver, RiNo
- Coperta, Uptown
- Duo Restaurant, LoHi
- Fish N Beer, RiNo
- Fruition, Country Club (Editor's note: Fruition closed on January 12, 2025.)
- GetRight's, Wheat Ridge
- The Ginger Pig, Berkeley
- The Greenwich, RiNo
- Hey Kiddo, Berkeley
- Lucina, Park Hill
- Point Easy, Whittier
- Revival Denver Public House, Uptown
- Somebody People, Overland
- Spuntino, Highland
- Temaki Den, RiNo
- Teocalli Cocina, Arvada and Lafayette
- Vine Street Pub and Brewery, City Park West
- Work & Class, RiNo
